Description
Under the direction of Forestry management and job site mentors, Youth Arborist Apprentices participate in forestry work activities, including light to heavy manual labor associated with the propagation, planting, maintenance, and removal of trees on City of Milwaukee green spaces and at the City nursery. Youth Arborist Apprentices will also be introduced to basic tree climbing techniques.
The Forestry Youth Arborist Apprentice is the first step in a career in Forestry. Successful candidates who have graduated from High School and turned eighteen will be eligible for promotion to the Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentice position. Completion of this state apprenticeship qualifies employees for promotion to Urban Forestry Specialist.
Youth Arborist Apprentices work full-time during the summer and part-time during the school year.
Essential Functions
Year 1 Overview:
- Plant, maintain, and remove trees and shrubs on City greenspaces and in the City nursery, including engaging in site preparation and planting, pruning small trees and shrubs, and providing ground-level support for tree maintenance crews performing technical tasks on City trees (e.g., pruning, tree removal, stump grinding, and emergency storm response).
- Inspect, maintain, and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Conduct basic pre-trip inspections on vehicles and towed units.
- Inspect trees before climbing to assess for any hazards.
- Inspect equipment used for tree climbing, such as saddles, ropes, hand and pole saws.
- Establish safe work zones in assigned work areas by placing and removing cones and signs, following established emergency and command and response procedures, and identifying hazards and obstacles.
- Climb trees using ropes, saddles, and other equipment.
Year 2 Overview:
- Perform essential functions as described under “Year 1 Overview.”
- Climb trees using ropes, saddles, and other equipment, including maneuvering through the tree canopy.
- Identify common trees and shrubs.
- Identify signs and symptoms of common insects, mites, and diseases on trees.
- Prepare and maintain chainsaws for use.
- Set up and use rigging systems to lower loads of wood and branches.
We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.
Requirements
- Sixteen years of age at the time of the of appointment
- Current enrollment as a high school sophomore or junior at the time of the application deadline.
NOTE 1: Candidates must be on track to graduate; verification from the candidate’s high school will be required.
NOTE 2: Candidates selected for the DPW-Forestry Youth Arborist Apprentice program must participate in the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Youth Apprenticeship Program (DWD-YAP). For more information, see this link: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/ya/applicants.htm.
NOTE 3: The students selected for the Youth Arborist Apprentice are required to seek admission to the DWD-YAP through their school-appointed consortium. For the Consortium list, see this link: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/contacts.htm#youthApprenticeshipConsortiums.
NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.
Additional Youth Arborist Apprentice Requirements for Students Selected:
Level 1 Requirements
Youth Arborist Apprentices must complete all of the items listed below:
- Year 1 Competency checklist.
- Employability Skills checklist.
- Related instruction equal to one high school credit or at least three college credits.
- Minimum of 450 hours worked.
Level 2 Requirements
Youth Arborist Apprentices must complete all of the items listed below:
- Year 2 Competency checklist.
- Employability Skills checklist.
- Related instruction equal to two high school credits or at least six college credits.
- Minimum of 900 hours worked.
Career Preparation
Youth Arborist Apprentices must complete one of the following during Youth Arborist Apprenticeship participation:
- Student is enrolled in one of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Regional Career Pathways (RCP).
- Student has completed one of the certificates listed in the Youth Arborist Apprenticeship program guidelines.
- Student is participating in a Dual Enrollment Program as defined by the Wisconsin DPI.
